Seashells and their Engineering

A while back, I took a day to visit the seashore. Shortly after arriving, I located the booth where Sarah sells seashells by the seashore and we talked about various things. Sara's sister Suzie sells seashells by the seashore in Australia, and she's doing well.

Sarah is a merchant, so she puts in a great deal of time searching for good specimens (often snorkeling for seashells as well) and even finds ways to make them memorable. Jewelry, coffee table displays, and all that good stuff.

Seashells, Morguefile / jade

If you study on it, there are basically two different types of shells. Crabs and their kin have one kinds, but most of what we find on the beach are made by mollusks and are composed of calcium carbonate. The Master Engineer designed these creatures to make their homes while they live in them, constantly growing and working. Shells are strong and (I believe) made colorful because of God's desire to give us that pleasure. Darwinists are once again at a loss to explain the details and variety involved.

Although the shells vary from species to species, certain features are present in almost every mollusk. The shell usually has three distinct layers, with three unique tasks. The thin outer layer, called the periostracum, protects the inner layers from dissolving in the salt water. It is made of a flexible material somewhat like your fingernails. The material easily flakes off and helps the structure endure the incessant waves. Erosion explains why mussels’ outer shells aren’t very pretty, but they get the job done.

To read all of the article or listen to the audio version, click on "Shells—The Ultimate Beach House." Sound is optional for the following video, which may pique the interest of people with a creative side: